A motorcade carrying Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on Monday while traveling to a campaign event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
According to Daily Mail Online, several cars in the motorcade collided, resulting in injuries to staff members and reporters accompanying the governor.
The incident occurred around 12:57 pm local time when a van carrying press and staff members rear-ended another vehicle in the motorcade.
Governor Walz, who was riding in a separate vehicle ahead of the crash, was unharmed and continued on to the scheduled event. The collision left at least one staff member with a suspected broken arm, a reporter suffered a bloody nose, and another may have sustained a concussion.
Emergency medical personnel were quickly dispatched to the scene to assess and treat those involved in the accident. Despite the jarring incident, eleven out of the twelve individuals in the affected vehicles chose to proceed with the campaign activities after being evaluated by medics.
The severity of the crash was evident from the visible damage to the vehicles, with one van sustaining a large dent in its rear and two others behind it crushed together on the highway shoulder. The cause of the accident remains unclear, though there are reports of a BMW that may have been stopped on a road that should have been cleared for the motorcade.
Governor Walz, demonstrating concern for his team, made an unscheduled stop at a Milwaukee hospital later in the afternoon to check on the staff members who were injured in the crash. This detour occurred around 4 pm, showcasing the governor's commitment to the well-being of his campaign personnel.
The accident occurred as Walz was en route to a Labor Day campaign event in Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Despite the setback, the governor proceeded with his planned appearance at Laborfest in Milwaukee, where he delivered an energetic speech focusing on union support and criticizing former President Donald Trump.
During his address, Walz emphasized his background as a union member and stressed the importance of organized labor. He also took the opportunity to draw contrasts with his political opponents, particularly targeting Trump's economic policies and approach to workers' rights.
Walz stated:
Since the very beginning, Donald Trump has been running on the politics of fear. I know something about that. I supervised a lunchroom for a bunch of years. The bullies who want to instill fear, they're the first ones to find out what happens when the tide turns. He's running scared now.
The incident quickly caught the attention of top Democratic officials. President Joe Biden, upon learning of the accident, made a personal call to Governor Walz from Air Force One to inquire about his well-being and that of his team. This gesture underscores the close coordination between the Biden-Harris campaign and their chosen running mates.
Similarly, Vice President Kamala Harris reached out to Walz to check on his status following the crash. The swift response from both Biden and Harris demonstrates the campaign's prioritization of safety and unity among its key figures as they navigate the intense schedule of election season events.
In conclusion, the motorcade crash involving Tim Walz's campaign vehicles has added an unexpected twist to the Labor Day campaign activities. While the incident resulted in some injuries and momentarily disrupted travel plans, it did not deter the governor from fulfilling his campaign obligations. The quick response from local emergency services and national campaign leadership highlights the complex logistics and potential risks involved in high-profile political campaigns.
